Kuwait Sets New Rules for Domestic Worker Transfers

Publish date: Wednesday، 30 October 2024

Kuwait’s Public Authority of Manpower (PAM) has introduced a new system for transferring domestic workers between employers, aiming to address a worker shortage and streamline labor processes.

Key Transfer Rules for Domestic Workers

Under the new rules, if a domestic worker is transferred within six months of arrival in Kuwait—known as the guarantee period—without notifying PAM, the worker’s warranty will be canceled. To maintain the guarantee, a new contract must be signed by the new employer, the recruitment agency, the worker, and PAM. This process ensures proper documentation and accountability in the transfer.

If a worker chooses not to continue employment within the six-month guarantee period, the employer can request a refund of recruitment fees by handing the worker over to PAM’s Department for Regulating Domestic Worker Recruitment.

Recent Developments in Worker Transfers

Earlier this year, Kuwait permitted domestic workers to shift from Visa 20 (domestic sector) to Visa 18 (private sector). This grace period, available from July 14 to September 12, saw around 55,000 domestic workers move to the private sector to help alleviate workforce shortages in household labor.

Addressing the Shortage of Domestic Workers

Kuwait, home to 4.9 million people—mostly expatriates—has experienced a significant shortage of domestic workers, partly due to a temporary ban on laborers from the Philippines. In June, Kuwait lifted the visa ban, following an agreement to resolve a long-standing labor dispute with the Philippines.

With the new transfer mechanism and the recent lifting of restrictions, Kuwait is working to stabilize its domestic labor market and support both workers and employers through these policy changes.

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Kuwait Sets New Rules for Domestic Worker Transfers

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